POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIIOCESE OF CLEVELAND

Full Time, Exempt

The Organization

The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland was founded on April 23, 1847. It is the twenty-third largest diocese in the United States. The Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic was installed as the 12thBishop of Cleveland on September 14, 2020. The diocese encompasses the counties of Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain, Lake, Geauga, Medina, Wayne and Ashland. There are more than 670,000 Catholics in the Diocese, and Catholic Charities- Diocese of Cleveland is one of the largest diocesan systems of social services in the world. There are 185 parishes, 107 Catholic schools, 1 pastoral center and 1 mission office within the diocese. The cathedral is the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, located in downtown Cleveland. Members of the diocesan staff support the Bishop in ministering to the people of God by working together to provide vision, leadership and service to continue the mission of Jesus to transform the world. As a community, they are committed to live by the values of faith, dignity, stewardship and justice.

The Position

Under the direction of the executive director of communications, the manager of communications assists in executing the strategic communications plan for the diocese. Essential duties include creating content and messaging for a variety of communications platforms; assisting with media relations and crisis communications strategy and execution; assisting with website, social media and other digital communications strategy and execution.

Responsibilities

• Support the executive director in visioning, creating, and executing detailed strategic communications plans for the diocese

• Manage content development as assigned for diocesan-owned media platforms

o Draft content and timelines that support messaging of events, ministry programs on web and social media for internal departments, ministry groups or apostolates.
o Develop resources or communication tools that support the content plan to drive awareness to large scale or tailored audiences.

• Manage and coordinate media relations activities including but not limited to the creation of press releases, staging of press conferences, responding to urgent needs/crisis communications, developing diocesan statements, and associated video production and photography

o Serve as production assistant to digital manager during live, remote and pre-recorded video productions.
o During special media events, serve as media escort and manage day of event publicity.
o Support video production team by recording advance video segments, or taking photos as needed.
o Field media inquiries, schedule interviews, coordinate b-roll and digital graphics for news coverage as needed.

• Lead paid media efforts for assigned campaigns and projects

o Evaluate media streams, negotiate terms and place media buy for campaigns under $15k (examples include Retired Religious, Christmas Music sponsorship, Ohio EdChoice campaign).
o Collaborate with third party consultant on media buys over $15k. Responsible for managing campaign materials, developing digital, audio and video needs.
o Manage budget process including payment of invoices and proof of performance logs reconciliation.

• Manage media tracking, data gathering and analysis

o Responsible for reviewing campaign results, drafting surveys post campaign or event. Compile data, make recommendations for future campaigns and present to constituents.
o Form partnerships with media outlets to drive traffic and support campaign initiatives – paid, trade or earned.

• Assist with content management on the diocesan owned media properties; website, social media accounts, digital newsletter, magazine and other platforms

o Research, write and publish digital stories that build weekly e-news content as a support to staff editor as needed.
o As requested, write column or story for other internal newsletters or magazine publications

• Manage departmental projects as assigned

o Serve as project liaison for internal committees for various departments, such as facilities, education and parish life.
o Actively participate in committee initiatives, offer communication counsel and support through tangible efforts that contribute to diocesan goals.
o Serve as communications contact for specific ministry groups and apostolates such as (but not limited to): Knights of Columbus, Theology of the Body, Culture Project, Marriages of Grace, Northcoast TEC community
o For special events at the cathedral or public square that are initiated from Cathedral Square Plaza offices: serve as City of Cleveland point of contact. Responsible for filing permits, coordinating street parking reservations for media trucks, school buses and notifying RTA authorities.
o Serve as department liaison to local print houses, manage account and deliverables.
o Negotiate contracts on annual basis for FEST participation for the diocese and for commercial inventory on AM 1260.

• Monitor news services and provide daily news bulletin updating leaders on key news of the day

• Assist in the management and maintenance of the diocesan website and internal DocNet (intranet)

• Represent the department in the absence of the executive director

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Must be a practicing Catholic with demonstrated knowledge of the Catholic Church, its teachings and traditions. Strong commitment to the values, mission, ministry and evangelization charge of the Roman Catholic Church.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, or related field.

• Three to five years of successful communications, journalism, public relations or public affairs experience utilizing multiple platforms and digital tools.

• Mastery of the impact and effectiveness of the various available technologies to strategically serve the bishop, parishes, schools, diocesan ministries and other institutions related to the diocese.

• Sophisticated discernment in applying discretion and approximate security measures in the handling of sensitive, confidential and critical information.

• Experience in working with news media, public officials, foundation executives, and community leaders.

• Demonstrated success in leadership and communication management best practices, to include successful print and speech communications, branding of messages, stories and images.

• Familiarity with content management systems and knowledge of end-user navigation to support general, timely maintenance of website.

• Must be confident and comfortable using camera functions on personal devices.

• Possess a passion for the mission of the Church.

Skills Required

• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Drive, Teams, etc.)

• Excellent skills in writing, composition, and proofreading

• Proficient in the creation of content for and the use of website and all social media posting platforms, knowledge and skill in website graphic design a plus

• Basic knowledge of television and radio production

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies

• Ability to work under pressure and within deadlines

• Willingness to work some weekends and evenings

• Ability to be creative, collaborative and collegial

TO APPLY: Submit cover letter, resume, and full contact information for three (3) professional references along with a completed Diocese of Cleveland Employment Application to jnemeth@dioceseofcleveland.org. In the subject line please enter “Manager of Communications Candidate Application Materials.” Review of resumes to identify candidates for interview will begin on January 3, 2023.

Employment Application PDF